American Institutes for Research commits to the East Africa region with new Kenya office

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is expanding its global footprint with the inauguration of its new office in Kenya. 

During the launch in Nairobi's Westlands area, Jessica Heppen, President and CEO of AIR, highlighted the organization's dedication to collaborating with East African leaders and citizens to enhance education, health, workforce, and economic opportunities.

“In East Africa, there is a growing desire to improve education, health, workforce, and economic opportunities as a way to strengthen communities and improve lives,” said AIR President and CEO Jessica Heppen. 

“We are doing more than opening an office today: AIR is making a commitment to be partners with the leaders and citizens of the region to increase opportunities and create a better, more equitable world for all.”

According to Heppen, the establishment of the Kenya office, serving as a hub for 39 staff members, underscores AIR's focus on contributing to positive change in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and neighboring countries.

“AIR wants to serve as a catalyst to increase the development and use of timely, relevant evidence and help grow the social and behavioral science fields in East Africa,” said Ashu Handa, an AIR Institute Fellow based in the Kenya office. “We look forward to building on our current partnerships and developing new relationships that will be beneficial in the future.” 

The scope of AIR's work in the region encompasses various sectors, including health, climate change, humanitarian assistance, and natural resource management. 

The AIR Pipeline Partnership Program, which collaborates with universities in Tanzania and Kenya to mentor students in social and behavioral sciences, is seeking to cultivate talent and contribute to the development of these fields in East Africa.

Christine Kiecha, Managing Director of AIR's Kenya office, emphasized the importance of engaging with local communities to understand their needs effectively. By working closely with stakeholders, AIR seeks to tailor its interventions to the unique challenges of East Africa and drive sustainable development.

Ashu Handa, an AIR Institute Fellow based in the Kenya office, articulated AIR's aspiration to serve as a catalyst for evidence-based decision-making and the growth of social and behavioral sciences in the region. With a focus on fostering existing partnerships and forging new collaborations, AIR aims to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the East African landscape.

“AIR wants to serve as a catalyst to increase the development and use of timely, relevant evidence and help grow the social and behavioral science fields in East Africa,” said Ashu Handa, an AIR Institute Fellow based in the Kenya office.

“We look forward to building on our current partnerships and developing new relationships that will be beneficial in the future.”

Overall, the inauguration of AIR's Kenya office marks a significant step towards addressing the region's complex challenges and advancing the well-being of its people through research, technical assistance, and capacity building initiatives.